September 24, 2013
Scotland

Star of Markinch residents say concerns ‘ignored’ by windfarm approval

23 September 2013 | www.thecourier.co.uk/

Star of Markinch residents have expressed disappointment at plans for a 200ft wind turbine on the outskirts of the village.

Members of Fife Council’s Central Area Planning Committee narrowly approved the application for the turbine at Carriston Farm.

Following an hour-long debate, the vote was tied and it was up to chairman Tom Adams to use his casting vote to grant permission.

This was despite more than 20 objections from residents concerned the cumulative impact of the growing number of approved turbines in the area would affect their quality of life.

The application was recommended for approval by planning officer Kathleen Illingworth, who said the landscape was capable of accommodating the tall structure.

However, in a statement issued later, the residents said they had been let down by a flawed planning process where the decision was based on the “subjective judgement of an individual case officer and poorly briefed councillors”.

They added: “The visual impact of this industrial-scale machine in a rural environment was largely ignored, giving the impression that it is of no significance when considering applications of this nature.

“Of equal or greater concern is the ongoing creation of a turbine landscape in this area of Fife.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/24/star-of-markinch-residents-say-concerns-ignored-by-windfarm-approval/